Solution Architect reference: 140363

## Solution Architect Opportunity: Shape the Future of Customer & Colleague Channels This **Solution Architect** role at Lloyds Banking Group presents a significant opportunity for experienced professionals looking to make a tangible impact on how millions interact with financial services. Located in **Manchester** and operating on a **hybrid working model**, this position offers a competitive salary range of **£70,929 - £78,810**, reflecting the seniority and importance of the role. ### Advantages for Aspiring Candidates: This role offers a compelling proposition for ambitious Solution Architects, particularly those who thrive in dynamic, forward-thinking environments. Here's what makes this opportunity stand out: * **Strategic Impact:** You will be instrumental in the **Smarter Journeys Lab**, a critical part of the Colleague Channels Platform. Your work will directly contribute to creating intuitive, automated, and re-usable solutions for both colleagues and customers. This is an opportunity to define the architectural runway for platform teams and drive innovation across the entire Group. * **Modern Technology Stack:** The role demands and will provide exposure to cutting-edge technologies. A strong emphasis is placed on **microservice architecture, containerisation, Event Driven Architectures, streaming platforms, and cloud-native solutions (particularly GCP)**. If you're passionate about building scalable, resilient, and modern systems, this is the environment to hone your skills. * **Career Development & Growth:** Lloyds Banking Group is committed to investing in its people. You'll be encouraged to **learn, grow, and develop** within a large, established organization. The opportunity to collaborate with Product Owners, Enterprise Architects, and engineering teams fosters continuous learning and skill enhancement. * **Flexible Working:** Recognizing the importance of work-life balance, the Group actively supports flexible working. This role operates on a **hybrid model**, requiring a minimum of two days per week in the Manchester office, offering a blend of collaborative in-office work and the flexibility of remote working. * **Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:** Lloyds Banking Group is a leader in fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. They have demonstrated a strong commitment to initiatives supporting various employee needs, including **reasonable workplace adjustments, a dedicated Working with Cancer Initiative, and a commitment to interviewing candidates with disabilities**. This creates an environment where everyone can thrive. * **Comprehensive Benefits:** Beyond a strong salary, candidates can expect a generous benefits package including: * A substantial pension contribution (up to 15%) * Annual bonus award (subject to performance) * Share schemes * Adaptable lifestyle benefits * 30 days' holiday plus bank holidays * Extensive wellbeing initiatives and generous parental leave. ### Key Considerations for Your Career Path: To excel in this Solution Architect role, candidates should carefully consider the following: * **Depth of Technical Expertise:** The "What you'll need" section outlines a robust set of required technical skills. A strong foundation in **solution design, security & resilience patterns, microservices, containerisation, event-driven architectures, and cloud platforms (especially GCP)** is paramount. Familiarity with API standards, data technologies (SQL/NoSQL, Big Data), and key development languages (Java, Python) will be essential. * **Architectural Vision & Leadership:** This is more than just a technical role; it requires strategic thinking. You will be responsible for **leading and directing diverse workforces**, **collaborating with senior stakeholders**, and **driving architectural decisions**. The ability to translate business strategy into technical architecture and effectively communicate complex concepts to various audiences is crucial. * **Experience with Governance & Quality:** The role involves navigating **governance processes** and ensuring designs are robust and well-documented through **meaningful architectural artefacts**. A proactive approach to **fostering built-in quality, decoupled, and modernized architectures** is expected. * **Understanding of Emerging Technologies:** While not necessarily deep expertise, an **appreciation for AI/ML concepts and Agentic AI** indicates a forward-looking approach and an openness to incorporating new advancements into solutions. * **Adaptability & Problem-Solving:** The nature of architectural work involves tackling **technical design risks and issues**. Candidates should be adept at analyzing options, proposing solutions, and driving resolutions through agile practices. * **Commitment to Hybrid Working:** While flexible, the hybrid model requires a commitment to in-office presence. Candidates should be comfortable with this structure and its benefits for collaboration and team cohesion. This Solution Architect position offers a remarkable chance to contribute to a vital function within a leading financial institution. By carefully evaluating your skills and aspirations against the requirements and advantages, you can determine if this role aligns with your career trajectory and unlock your potential to shape the future of digital engagement for millions.